The Community
Headquartered in Olympia, Washington the Port of Olympia serves the Thurston County community in a variety of ways, leading and participating in many of the area’s economic development efforts. Olympia is the capital of the state of Washington, the county seat of Thurston County, and the southern gateway to Puget Sound’s metropolitan region. It is home to a wide variety of industries, including state government, health care, retail, military, education, construction, farming, fishing, and logging, and has an active arts community. With an economic engine fueled to a great extent by state government, as well as three higher education institutions, Olympia enjoys the benefits of a stable workforce, an engaged and educated community, and a well-supported school system.

The region has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas. Majestic Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains are nearby to the east, while the Pacific Coast is just an hour’s drive to the west. Blessed with a year-round mild climate, outdoor activities can be enjoyed almost any day, and the nearby mountains offer many opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and mountain climbing. Located on Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound, the area offers significant opportunities for a diversity of water enthusiasts. Historic downtown Olympia offers a variety of eclectic shopping and dining experiences, while Olympia’s Westside is a regional shopping destination with numerous national brand stores and the auto mall.

The Organization
Established in 1922, the Port of Olympia has a proud history in Thurston County. The Port serves the community by promoting trade, supporting family-wage jobs, and improving the environment. Today, more than 5,000 jobs and nearly $715.5 million in economic activity in Thurston County depend on the Port of Olympia.

The Port of Olympia is currently governed by three elected commissioners who set policies and objectives for the organization. However, the county recently approved a proposition to increase the number of commissioners from three to five by electing an additional two in the 2023 general election. The five commissioners will serve in five separate newly created districts; each serving a four-year term. The commissioners appoint the Port’s Executive Director, who is responsible for the ongoing management of the Port’s enterprises and facilities. The Port of Olympia operates with 49 FTEs utilizing 2022 budgeted operating revenues of $14,352,204 and a capital budget of $2,871,726. The Port’s departments and business units include Operations (Marine Terminal, Airport, Swantown Marina and Boatworks, and Maintenance), Business Development and Real Estate, Executive Services (Communications, Marketing, and Government Affairs, Planning and Environmental, Contracts and Grants, and Administrative Services), Finance, and Human Resources. From the commercial center at NewMarket Industrial Campus and the diversified specialty Marine Terminal, to the vibrant Swantown Marina and Boatworks and the strategically located Olympia Regional Airport, the Port of Olympia is committed to fostering economic growth of the South Puget Sound region and serving the needs of global customers. The Port values its relationships with the community, customers, Squaxin Island Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Chehalis Tribe, municipal governments, Joint Base Lewis–McChord (JBLM), and many regional economic development partners.

To learn more about the Port of Olympia, please visit www.portolympia.com.

The Position
The Capital Assets Program Manager assists the Executive Services Director and the Port’s business units in developing, managing, and implementing the Port’s capital investment program. This position is also responsible for assisting with implementation of public works and maintenance projects, Port wide. The Capital Assets Program Manager works with Port colleagues and consultants to ensure all aspects of these projects are completed from project conception/development through project closeout. The position is responsible for managing annual capital budget and major maintenance projects, from inception through project delivery, including consultant management, project scoping, cost estimating, design and documentation, contract management, and closeout. This position may also serve as project lead for capital projects and initiatives that involve community and stakeholder partnerships. The Capital Assets Senior Manager provides and/or oversees technical support, including management of technical and professional consultants, Port wide, in the form of facilities information, surveying, site planning, problem solving, providing technical advice, and maintaining Port base maps and plans records library.

This position reports to the Executive Services Director and works closely and collaboratively with the various business units, primarily through the Senior Managers, and with the Contract and Grant Administrator. The Capital Assets Program Manager routinely engages other Port colleagues in support of the “One Port” philosophy of successful Port sustainability and success. This is a 24/7 response obligation position.

Overall:

• Demonstrate leadership qualities and credibility both internally and as a Port representative in the local and regional community and with regulatory agencies.
• Maintain and foster effective partnerships with government agencies, local tribes, and the public.
• Provide briefings and updates to the Port Commission, Executive Director, Port colleagues, citizen groups, individuals, consultants, and others.

 

Capital Investment Planning/Asset Management:

• Work with community groups and partners on capital projects and initiatives.

• Serve as project lead and liaison with community groups and partners on identified projects to develop common understanding and agreement on collaborative efforts, including working with colleagues to draft appropriate agreements. Develop timelines and work plans with partners to coordinate and implement collaborative efforts.

Public Works & Project Management:

• Manage public works projects, from inception through closeout. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Plan, organize and schedule efforts associated with assigned capital and maintenance public works projects, including selecting and managing appropriate technical consultants, as needed;
  • Prepare project scopes of work and cost estimates;
  • Work with the Contract and Grant Administrator to conduct and manage the competitive bidding process;
  • Select and manage the Port’s project team;
  • Provide leadership for design teams and consultants to assure project documents, including engineering reports, feasibility studies, environmental documents, and construction documents, meet intended project goals and objectives;
  • Work with colleagues to identify and secure all necessary engineering, environmental, building and/or construction permits;
  • Work collaboratively to develop and track project budgets, and ensure projects are completed within allocated and approved budgets;
  • Manage construction of projects including schedule, change orders, payments, quality control, project documentation, onsite construction inspection and administrative support, contract pay quantity calculations and verification; and
  • Prepare project closeout documentation.
• Provide technical support to all departments in the form of developing and/or managing consultants who develop design and contract drawings, mapping and permit drawings.
• Provide quantity take-offs, alignment and grades and design details for in-house civil design work; data gathering and analysis for various geotechnical and environmental studies and projects.
• Coordinate with Federal, State, County and local governmental agencies, railroads, utility companies, property owners and relevant community organizations as projects necessitate.
• Maintain current knowledge and documentation of state and federal contracting requirements, building codes, ADA requirements, safety regulations and requirements and advise other departments on related issues.
• Manage issues and risks that may arise with assigned projects.
• Ensure Port facility records of utilities and ownership maps, including topographic and land use mapping, are updated and maintained as appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of project management and/or engineering principles related to public works procedures and practices, public works contract administration, and Federal, State and local agency laws.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, construction management or a closely related field. A combination of work experience and education may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Completion of formal project management coursework (minimum of 72 hours of project management education/training). PMP Certification is highly desired.
• Minimum of four years of experience in public works project management in Washington State, including managing contractors and consultants; and with capital investment planning, long term asset management strategies.
• Valid Washington Driver’s License or ability to acquire one within 90 Days.
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) or ability to acquire one within 90 days.

Required Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to proactively research and identify problems and opportunities, and to apply systematic/systemic thinking, focusing on details while understanding the larger organizational context.
• Assist others in exploring alternative ways to view and solve problems and achieve results.
• Plan, negotiate, and lead. Practiced in developing creative, innovative strategies to meet project and organizational objectives, and encouraging others to explore and understand potential alternative solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, targeted to a variety of audiences, and an ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Demonstrated management and problem solving skills, including monitoring for and managing risks and continually assessing outcomes, achievements, and effectiveness.
• Ability to exercise project discipline, accountability, innovation, and best practices over a wide variety of technical and business project initiatives, ensuring quality standards and project performance measures are achieved.
• Ability to clearly understand and define customer needs and desired outcomes, and to use effective techniques to achieve results.
• Ability to work effectively in teams, and maintain good personal/business relationships with Port staff, labor, community organizations and citizens, tenants, and customers.
• Experience working with project tracking tools such as Microsoft Project, eBuilder, Laserfishe. Experience working with PC based network systems, MS Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Project, AutoCAD, ArcGIS and other related software. Experience working with surveying equipment/GPS.
• Moderate business travel is expected/required.

Supplemental Information
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening, in compliance with the Port’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace policy and the Drug-Free Workplace Act (1988) of unlawful drugs under the Federal, State, and local laws and regulations in the United States, and a completed COVID-19 vaccination record.

Compensation and Benefits
$92,215 – $138,328
Medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance with no out-of-pocket employee premiums and full coverage for employee, spouse, and all eligible dependents.
Life and AD&D insurance with a maximum of $100,000.
12 paid holidays.
Earned vacation and sick leave
Bereavement leave
Educational assistance
Long-term disability insurance with optional additional coverage paid by the employee.
Washington State Retirement System
Wellness fringe benefit
Optional AFLAC
Optional Ameriflex FSA.